Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Zoom Remote Meeting Hosted in Tacoma, WA 98402 Friday, August 12, 2022 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. Commissioners Present Krystal Monteros, Luke Byram, Lukas Barfield, Kristy Willett, Amin, Aimee Sidhu, Tony Hester, Tony Caldwell, and James Williams Commissioners Absent Rebecca Parsons, Todd Holloway and Richard Smaby City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo (OEHR), Drena Seller, Equity Analyst, Rota Moore, OEHR Admin Mgr, Gail Himes,, Public Works, Kenny Coble, CMO Guests Present Ivan Tudela, Hayley Edick, Sushil. K. Oswal and Krystal Monteros in a community capacity with CoC Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Byram and seconded by Sidhu to accept this meeting’s COD agenda. The motion was passed. Acceptance of Minutes The June minutes were presented for consideration A motion to approve was made by Hester and seconded by Sidhu. The motion passed. Public Comment Presentation: Input on building disability identity into future commission applications led by Kenny Coble, CMO Discussion on Memorandum of Understanding with TACOD and CoC—Klarissa Monteros Reports Chair and Vice Chair No Public Comment. Mr. Coble facilitated input around designing future applications that take disability identify into account in order to recruit more diverse voices on City Commissions, Boards and Committees as well as other community platforms for citizen engagement.; Mr. Coble presented a draft of potential disability identity questions motivated by the following questions Are we representative of our community? Q-What is the purpose of getting this information? Coble—To assure broad representation throughout the CBC network Self-response questions enables applicant to define their disability in their own terms. Mr. Coble agreed that those self-responses should not be placed in any other category for tracking as they rely on assumptions on the reviewer which may or may not be true. Q-What is neuro-divergence? Byram—based on belief that people look at world differently and that defining this is based on “people first” not on a condition such as indicating that someone “is” autistic versus someone “has” autism. Hester—Give examples of different forms of disability Caldwell Don’t doctors assign disabilities and shouldn’t we go by those official diagnosis? Kenny—Best to discuss further. Lucas S. —These questions are motivated around folks sharing their sense of identity. Byram—The concept of “invisible” identity could include learning disability, or mental illness. Perhaps in box we described “living with mental illness or could say “mental health disability” Sidhu—Let’s try to get at people’s identities and begin with “I identify as…” Ivan Tudela—Identity seems to be the main purpose of the questions. Caldwell—We would like to review next draft Kenny Coble thanked commissioners and will supply changes on the disability identity questions for further review. * Conferred with TACOD and returned to Continuity of Care (CoC) to discuss building MOU’s to create partnerships to invite diverse voices into CoC funding programs. Did this with Lived Experience Coalition and Youth Council\. No doing this with TACOD. * Commissioners would be invited to participate in both subcommittees and board and would welcome any form of participation commissioners choose. * Hester—How do non commissioners join? * Klarissa—Anyone can join a subcommittee. * Hester—How do we know when and where meetings are * CoC will communicate with TACOD and also inform commissioners about meetings which they would like to attend. * Sidhu—Duration question. Term of MOU can’t be indefinite. Relatively shorter term of 3 years to see if its working for both parties. * Hester—MOU should always have beginning, middle and end. Community member asked question after commissioners had finished: * Oswal—What is strategy for communicating CoC meetings with general public and can they attend Exec Committee? * Klarissa—Any community member can join subcommittee but will bring request to attend Executive Committee back for discussion. Chair Monteros—Spoke to Councilmember Walker about organizing something special for next ADA celebration. Want to fix sidewalks on Portland Avenue near Emerald Queen Casino that are exhausting to navigate currently by wheelchair. Driveway is way too steep. Glass is on sidewalk everywhere and no signal on other side of cross walk. No report from Commissioner Byram Liaison Report Comments Emergency Management Report PCAC Report from Hester Commissioner Reports New Business Good of the Order Adjournment Accessible Taxi and Feasibility Study. Beginning to prep missing elements of Feasibility Report CBC Equity Analyst Lucas introduced Equity analyst Drena Sellers and her work ahead. Upcoming Events Public Works Celebration of ADA upgrades at intersection of S. 64th and Pacific to be scheduled for September. Lucas shared from former Human Rights Commissioner Skaar around damaged sidewalks around Mann and need for plan to invest in formerly redlined areas. Gail Himes was invited to speak further on sidewalk issues * Himes—Sidewalk program has been underfunded for years. City could tap into special federal dollars but they take time to secure. * Sidewalk repair can be costly for homeowners. * Need to offer more attention to sidewalks adjoining ramps since approach to ramp is critical. * Skaar expressed frustration around transit bus stop removal but Himes is putting her in touch to offer input to Pierce Transit. * Caldwell—Let’s take time to record where sidewalks are missing or in disrepair. Himes invited folks to record these on website and through 311. Tudela—New round of hot weather begins next Tuesday. High’s in 90’s and will keep commission informed of cooling centers. TFD will offer free CPR class on October 9th at Foss High School Had a work group meeting in the afternoon. Meetings are second Friday of each month 1-3 PM. Get transportation/access project recommendations to Governor by September. Must have secondary form of funding. Challenge each commissioner to report sidewalk missing or in disrepair and offer rating of red (dangerous) yellow (marginal) or green (good) no need to report. Monteros—City doesn’t have all the funding they need for sidewalks. Partner with state organization on this called Front and Center. Does grant writing to help secure funds and invest in sidewalk needs. Motion to adjourn by Byram and seconded by Caldwell. Passed. Meeting ended at 6:07 PM